The team of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go visited Mariveles, Bataan to provide immediate assistance to indigent residents during a two-day relief activity from August 30 to 31.
Go’s staff conducted the relief activity at the SFB 13 and DLX Building of Freeport Area of Bataan in Mariveles where they grouped the 2,126 beneficiaries into smaller batches and implemented necessary health protocols to ensure everyone’s safety.
The outreach team distributed meals and masks to the residents as well as phablets, bicycles and new pairs of shoes to select individuals.
Furthermore, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended financial support through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.
Go, in his video message, encouraged those eligible to take part in the government’s vaccination drive and once again underscored the importance of getting inoculated to boost their defenses against COVID-19 and help the country return to normalcy.
He also reassured that the government is continuously rolling out vaccines to far-flung communities to ensure that more Filipinos are safeguarded from severe symptoms of COVID-19.
“Importante po na makamtan na natin ang herd immunity dahil iyan po ang kailangan para tuluyan na po tayong makabalik sa normal nating pamumuhay at bumalik ang sigla ng ekonomiya,” Go emphasized.
The senator, who heads the Senate Committee on Health, also expressed concern that the pandemic has disrupted the provision of some vital health services for the sick and other vulnerable groups. He then offered additional assistance so they can receive the treatment and medication they require without worrying about the expenses.
The senator then advised the beneficiaries to visit Mariveles Mental Wellness and General Hospital and Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center in Balanga City where there are Malasakit Centers available to help them with their medical expenses.
Initiated by Go in 2018, the Malasakit Centers program has assisted more than three million poor and indigent patients with 151 operational centers nationwide. The senator is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act.
“Nung Davao City mayor pa si dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, marami po ang lumalapit sa kanya sa city hall na nanggagaling pa as far as General Santos, Zamboanga, o Surigao para humingi ng tulong sa kanilang pampaospital. Sabi ng (Commission on Audit), hindi daw pwede gamitin ang pera ng Davao City dahil hindi sila residente,” the senator recounted.
“Dahil hindi n’ya po matiis na tanggihan itong mga pasyenteng ito, dahil para sa kanya, Pilipino rin po ang mga ito… sabi niya, hanapan mo ng paraan ‘yan. Hindi na ako uupo dito sa city hall kung hindi ko sila matulungan. Doon ho nag-umpisa ‘yung konseptong Malasakit Center,” continued Go.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Go has likewise supported the construction of a multipurpose building in Mariveles and other infrastructure development initiatives to help spur economic activity and job creation in Bataan.
He also supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Bagac, Balanga City, Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Orion and Pilar; acquisition of ambulance units in Pilar and Samal; construction of drainage canal in Abucay and Dinalupihan; construction of Orani District Hospital with 150-bed capacity in Orani; and the construction of a slaughterhouse in Hermosa.
Last year, Go, who also heads the Senate Sports Committee and is a staunch advocate of long-term grassroots sports development, personally attended the signing of the Deed of Donation for the land on which the Philippine Sports Training Center will be built in Bagac. The facility is expected to be completed by 2025.
